Handle for positioning an element

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an improvement in a handle for operating an element such as a valve member, comprising a support member having a hollow portion, said support member including means to grasp a rotatable member, such as a valve control member so that movement of the support member causes rotation of the control member, said support member further including a first opening, handle means extending through said first opening into said hollow portion of said support member, said handle means including channel means therein, pawl means extending through said second opening into said hollow portion of said support member, said pawl means including pin means mounted thereto, said pin means being disposed in said channel means of said handle means whereby rotation of said handle means about its longitudinal axis causes said pin means to travel in said channel means causing the movement of said pawl means in a predetermined direction.

United States Patent Donnelly et al.

45 Oct. 31, 1972 [54] HANDLE FOR POSITIONING AN ELEMENT JamesburyCorporation, cester, Mass.

Filed: Sept. 30, 1969 Appl. No.: 862,306

[73] Assignee: Wor- [1.8. CI. ..74/142, 74/577, 75/575 Int. Cl ..F16h27/02 Field of Search ..74/142, 527, 528, 529, 57;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary Examiner-William F.ODea Assistant Examiner-Wesley S. Ratliff, Jr. Att0meyShaffert andMiller [57] 7 ABSTRACT Disclosed is an improvement in a handle foroperating an element such as a valve member, comprising a support memberhaving a hollow portion, said support member including means to grasp arotatable member, such as a valve control member so that movement of thesupport member causes rotation of the control member, said supportmember further including a first opening, handle means extending throughsaid first opening into said hollow portion of said support member, saidhandle means including channel means therein, pawl means extendingthrough said second opening into said hollow portion of said supportmember, said pawl means including pin means mounted thereto, said pinmeans being disposed in said channel means of said handle means wherebyrotation of said handle means about its longitudinal axis causes saidpin means to travel in said channel means causing the movement of saidpawl means in a predetermined direction.

PATENTED 0m 31 I972 SHEU 1 OF 2 IFVEN'TORS JAMES F. DONNELLY WENDELL P.GEE

NELSON S. PHIPPS PATENTEDncm m2 3.701.286

sum 2 0F 2 INVENTORS JAMES F. DONNELLY WENDELL P. GEE

NELSON S. PHIPPS HANDLE FOR POSITIONING AN ELEMENT This invention isdirected to handle for positioning a control member in a plurality ofpredetermined positions. More particularly, this invention is directedto a handle for positioning a valve control mechanism in one of aplurality of predetermined positions.

In many instances, the positioning of a rotatable valve member isachieved by the rotation of a shaft attached to said valve member. Thus,if the shaft includes a bolt or the like rigidly mounted thereto,rotation of the shaft may be effected by rotation of the bolt. This maybe readily accomplished utilizing a bolt spanner of the appropriatesize.

However, many times a more accurate positioning of the valve isrequired. THus, it is often desired that the valve be accurately set atone of a number of predetermined positions in order to insure propercontrol of the fluid flow through the valve.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide ahandle or positioning apparatus which permits the accurate positioningof the valve in one of a plurality of positions.

It is another object of thepresent invention to provide a handle orpositioning apparatus wherein a valve may be locked in a certainposition to prevent movement therefrom.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a handle orpositioning apparatus that is both extremely reliable in operation yetrelatively maintenance free.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

In accordance with the present invention, a positioning apparatus isprovided wherein the twisting of a handle about its own longitudinalaxis controls the motion of a pawl having a tooth at the end thereof Thetooth of the pawl may then be positioned between two adjacent teeth of aratchet at a position to be determined by the desired position of therotatable valve member being controlled by the handle More particularly,the positioning apparatus of the present invention includes a handlecontaining a channel therein. A pin is disposed to travel in thechannel. The pin is rigidly connected to a pawl so that movement of thepin in the channel causes the pawl to move in a predetermined direction.Spring means are operatively disposed with respect to the pawl in orderto cause the pawl to return to its original position after the twistingforce is removed from the handle. The handle is hollow and is providedwith a slideable bushing therein. The slideable bushing is rigidlymounted to the pin. Thus, the moment arm imparted to the pin at one endthereof by the pawl is effectively counterbalanced by the moment armapplied to the pin at the other end thereof by the bushing. Because theangular relationship between the pin and the sides of the channelremains constant, pin travel within the channel is relatively smooth andfrictionfree.

Also in accordance with the present invention, the only portions of themechanism requiring lubrication are completely enclosed in the hollowportion of the support member. Grease or other forms of lubrication arecontained within the support member by a pull plug located at the bottomof the support member. Thus, there is no opportunity for dust or otherforeign particles to interfere with the travel of the pin in thechannel. Therefore, a smooth and reliable operation is achieved.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in thedrawings a from which is presently preferred, it being understood,however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the apparatus of the present inventionshowing in greater detail the mounting of the bushing and the pawl tothe pin.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the apparatus of the present invention incombination with a ratchet and a valve control mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a view in elevation of the apparatus ratchet and valve controlmechanism shown in FIG. 3.Referring more particularly to the drawings,the apparatus of the present invention is generally designated as 10 inFIG. 1. Support member 12 includes am 14 extending therefrom. Ann 14terminates in extensions 16 and 18. Indentations in arms 16 and 18 formopening 20 which has a shape complimentary to the shape of the end ofthe rotatable shaft rigidly attached to the valve control mechanism.Extensions l6 and 18 may be tightened about the shaft of the valvecontrol mechanism through the use of bolt 22.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main portion of support member 12 contains ahollow interior. Access to the hollow interior may be had throughaligned openings 24 and 26 or through aligned openings 28 and 30. Inaddition, access to the interior may be had through the bottom portionof support member 12 when pull plug 34 is removed from seal surface 32.

Handle 36 a hollow portion or sleeve 38 at the terminal portion thereof.Retention ring 42 is disposed within groove 40 on the exterior of sleeve38. Thus, sleeve 38 may be inserted into opening 26 until retention ring42 prevents further insertion thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, the placementof retention ring 42 and groove 40 permits sleeve 38 to be supported byopenings 24 and 26 in support member 12.

Bushing 56 is slideably disposed within the hollow of sleeve 38. Thus,bushing 56 is slideably disposed with respect to channel 52 in sleeve38. Bushing 56 further includes opening 58 in which one end of pin 50 ismounted.

Pawl 44 terminates in tooth shaped extremity 46. Pawl 44 furtherincludes opening 48 in which the other end of pin 50 is mounted. Thus,the linear movement of pin 50 within channel 52 causes the movement ofpawl 44.

Pawl 44 is supported by openings 28 and 30 in the lower portion ofsupport member 12. Spring 54 circumscribes pawl 44 and exerts a force onpin 50. Thus, the movement of pin 50 within channel 52, which is causedby the rotation of handle 36 about its longitudinal axis, moves pawl 44along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of handle 36. When therotational force on handle 36 is released, spring 54 forces pin 50 toreturn to the apex of channel 52 which in turn causes pawl 44 to returnto its original position.

' FIG. 2 shows in greater detail how the movement of pin 50 withinchannel 52 is controlled to achieve trouble free operation.

Sleeve 38 contains an interior surface that is smooth and relativelyfriction free. Bushing S6 is slideably disposed within the hollow ofsleeve 38 and is comprised of teflon, nylon or some other relativelyfrictionless material. Thus, bushing 56 may slide with relative easewithin sleeve 38. Bushing 56 provides support for one end of pin 50 andthe other end of pin 50 is fixidly mounted in pawl 44. When pawl 44 ismoved in a direction against the bias of spring 54, a force is exertedby the spring against the pawl end of pin 50. If pin 50 were notanchored in opening 58 in bushing 56, this force would cause the upperend of pin 50 to rotate about the lower end of pin 50. However bushing56 exerts a force on the upper end of pin 50 to counterbalance the forceexerted on the lower end of pin 50 by spring 54. Therefore, any tendencyof the upper end of pin 59 to rotate about the lower end of pin 50 willbe effectively prevented.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the valve handle of the present invention incombination with a ratchet and the top of a valve housing. FIG. 4 is anelevation view of the subject matter shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIGS.3 and 4, valve shaft 88 extends through valve housing 86. Valve shaft 38may take the form of a cylindrical shaft having a square head 64.Rotation of head 64 causes rotation of shaft dd which in turn controlsthe position of the valve member such as a ball or disc.

Ratchet 6b is mounted to the top portion of valve housing 86 by screw 70acting in conjunction with lockwasher 72 and by screw 78 acting inconjunction with lockwasher 8b. In like manner, structural member 92supporting shaft 88 is mounted to ratchet 60 by means of screw 74 actingin conjunction with lockwasher 76 and by means of screw 82 acting inconjunction with lockwasher 84.

As best shown in FIG. 3, support member 12 includes an extension 66.Extension 66 contains opening 68 at the terminal portion thereof.Opening 68 functions as a locking means. Thus, if it is desired to lockvalve handle 10 in a desired position, it is only necessary to drill ahole in ratchet 6%) in alignment with opening 68 when valve handle illis in the desired position. Relative movement between these two openingsmay be prevented by passing a padlock therethrough. Thus, relativemovement between ratchet 60 and valve handle w is effecdvely preventedthereby prohibiting unauthorized movement of the valve.

It is also noted that valve handle 10 can be positioned so that the pawltooth is between two adjacent teeth of ratchet 69. Thus, if a properlyspaced hole is drilled in ratchet 6%, extension 66 of support member 12may be rigidly secured to ratchet 6t even though tooth 46 of pawl 44abuts a terminal portion of one of the ratchet teeth 62 instead of beinglodged between adjacent teeth. 1

Also, as is best shown in FIG. 3, head 64 of valve shaft as is graspedby extensions 16 and 18 which in turn are tightened by bolt 22 and nut90.

The operation of the valve handle of the present invention may be bestexplained with reference to FIGS. 3 and d. if it is desired to move thevalve to a new position, a rotational force or twisting moment about thelongitudinal axis 36. This rotation of shaft 36 causes the rotation ofsleeve 38 which in turn causes pin 50 to travel in channel 52. Since pin50 is rigidly connected to pawl 44, and since retention ring 42 preventsthe movement of shaft 36 towards the valve shaft, the movement of pin 50in channel 52 causes pawl 44 to move in a direction away from valveshaft. This withdraws pawl 44 from its position intermediate twoadjacent teeth of ratchet 60. Once pawl 44 is withdrawn, valve handle 10may be rotated about the axis of valve shaft 88 thereby positioning thevalve in a desired flow-controlling position. Since spring 54 iscompressed by the movement of pawl 44 in a rearward direction, therotational force applied about the longitudinal axis of handle 36 mustbe maintained while the valve handle is rotated about the axis of valveshaft 88. When the valve handle has been properly positioned thecessation of the rotational force imparted about the longitudinal axisof handle 36 causes spring 54 to expand to its non-compressed positionthereby causing tooth 46 of pawl 44 to be lodged intermediate twoadjacent teeth of ratchet 60.

As noted above, all elements of the valve handle requiring lubricationare located within the hollow portion of support member 12. Thus,lubrication may be effected by inserting grease 'or some other suitablelubricating material within the hollow portion of support member 12.After the insertion of the lubricating material, plug 34 is positionedagainst seal surface 32 to produce an atmospheric seal. Thus, dirt orother particles are effectively prevented from entering the hollowportion of support member 12. Therefore, all foreign materials areeffectively prevented from hindering the travel of pin 50 within channel52. Accordingly, the valve handle of the present invention is troublefree in operation and requires little maintenance.

Although there is no apparent reason why the valve handle should everfail to operate, it is noted that, in an emergency, the valve handlecould be operated without utilizing the movement of pin 50 withinchannel 52. Referring to FIG. 4, it is possible to pull handle 36 awayfrom valve control mechanism 88 causing pin 50 lodged in the apex ofslot 52 and to be likewise pulled away. This in turn dislodges tooth 46of pawl44 from between adjacent teeth of ratchet 60. Once tooth 46 isdislodged from ratchet 60, rotation of the valve handle about the axisof valve shaft 88 may be readily accomplished.

THE present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. For example,the handle of the present invention need not be restricted to thepositioning of a valve. Thus, the instant invention could be utilized toposition other mechanisms positionable by the rotation of a shaft.

I claim:

1. Handle positioning apparatus comprising a support member having ahollow portion, said support member including means to grasp a rotatablemember so that movement of said support member causes rotation of saidrotatable member, said support member further including a first opening,handle means extending through said first opening into said hollowportion of said support member, said handle means including channelmeans therein and containing a hollow portion, said support memberfurther including a second opening, pawl means extending through saidsecond opening into said hollow portion of said support member, saidpawl means including pin means mounted thereto, bushing means slidablydisposed within said hollow, portion of said handle means, said pinmeans being disposed within said channel means of said handle means, andmeans mounting said pin means to said bushing means whereby rotation ofsaid handle means about its longitudinal axis causes a movement of saidchannel means which in turn causes said pin means to move in saidchannel means thereby causing movement of said bushing means in saidhollow portion of said handle means and thereby moving said pawl meansin a predetermined direction.

2. Handle positioning apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidbushing means is comprised of nylon or poly( tetrafluoroethylene).

3. Handle positioning apparatus comprising a support member having ahollow portion, said support member including means to grasp a rotatablemember so that movement of said support member causes rotation of saidrotatable member, said support member further including a first opening,handle means extending through said first opening into said hollowportion of said support member, said handle means including channelmeans therein, said support member further including a second opening,pawl means extending through said second opening into said hollowportion of said support member, said pawl means including pin meansmounted thereto and also including biasing means associated therewithand disposed between said pin means and said support member to bias saidpin means relative to said support member, said pin means being disposedwithin said channel means of said handle means whereby rotation of saidhandle means about its longitudinal axis causes a movement of saidchannel means which in turn causes said pin means to move in saidchannel means thereby moving said pawl means in a predetermineddirection.

4. Handle positioning apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein saidresilient means circumscribes said pawl means.

5. Handle positioning apparatus comprising a support member having ahollow portion, said support member including means to grasp a rotatablemember so that movement of said support member causes rotation of saidrotatable member, said means to grasp a rotatable member including apair of locking arms, said arms having indentations therein in order tosecurely grasp said rotatable member and means for tightening the graspof said arms about said rotatable member, said support member furtherincluding a first opening, handle means extending through said firstopening into said hollow portion of said support member, said handlemeans including channel means therein, said support member furtherincluding a second opening, pawl means extending through said secondopening into said hollow portion of said support member, said pawl meansincluding pin means mounted thereto, said pin means being disposedwithin said channel means of said handle means, whereby rotation of saidhandle means about its longitudinal axis causes a movement of saidchannel means which in turn causes said pin means to move in saidchannel means thereby moving said pawl means in a predetermineddirection.

6. Handle positioning apparatus comprising a support member having ahollow portion, said support member including means to grasp a rotatablemember so that movement of said support member causes rotation of saidrotatable member, said su rt mem er further including a first opening,shaft m n s extending through said first opening into said hollowportion of said support member, said handle means including channelmeans therein, said support member further including a second opening,pawl means extending through said second opening into said hollowportion of said support member, said pawl means including pin meansmounted thereto and including a tooth at a terminal portion thereof,said pin means being disposed within said channel means of said handlemeans, and ratchet means including a plurality of teeth thereon andoperatively positioned relative to said pawl, said tooth of said pawlmeans being of such size as to fit intermediate two adjacent teeth ofsaid ratchet means, whereby rotation of said handle means about itslongitudinal axis causes a movement of said channel means which in turncauses said pin means to move in said channel means thereby moving saidpawl means in a predetermined direction.

7. Handle positioning apparatus in accordance with claim 6, said supportmember further including extension means, said extension means includingmeans to lock said extension means to said ratchet means in apredetermined position.

1. Handle positioning apparatus comprising a support member having ahollow portion, said support member including means to grasp a rotatablemember so that movement of said support member causes rotation of saidrotatable member, said support member further including a first opening,handle means extending through said first opening into said hollowportion of said support member, said handle means including channelmeans therein and containing a hollow portion, said support memberfurther including a second opening, pawl means extending through saidsecond opening into said hollow portion of said support member, saidpawl means including pin means mounted thereto, bushing means slidablydisposed within said hollow portion of said handle means, said pin meansbeing disposed within said channel means of said handle means, and meansmounting said pin means to said bushing means whereby rotation of saidhandle means about its longitudinal axis causes a movement of saidchannel means which in turn causes said pin means to move in saidchannel means thereby causing movement of said bushing means in saidhollow portion of said handle means and thereby moving said pawl meansin a predetermined direction.
 2. Handle positioning apparatus inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said bushing means is comprised of nylonor poly(tetrafluoroethylene).
 3. Handle positioning apparatus comprisinga support member having a hollow portion, said support member includingmeans to grasp a rotatable member so that movement of said supportmember causes rotation of said rotatable member, said support memberfurther including a first opening, handle means extending through saidfirst opening into said hollow portion of said support member, saidhandle means including channel means therein, said support memberfurther including a second opening, pawl means extending through saidsecond opening into Said hollow portion of said support member, saidpawl means including pin means mounted thereto and also includingbiasing means associated therewith and disposed between said pin meansand said support member to bias said pin means relative to said supportmember, said pin means being disposed within said channel means of saidhandle means whereby rotation of said handle means about itslongitudinal axis causes a movement of said channel means which in turncauses said pin means to move in said channel means thereby moving saidpawl means in a predetermined direction.
 4. Handle positioning apparatusin accordance with claim 3 wherein said resilient means circumscribessaid pawl means.
 5. Handle positioning apparatus comprising a supportmember having a hollow portion, said support member including means tograsp a rotatable member so that movement of said support member causesrotation of said rotatable member, said means to grasp a rotatablemember including a pair of locking arms, said arms having indentationstherein in order to securely grasp said rotatable member and means fortightening the grasp of said arms about said rotatable member, saidsupport member further including a first opening, handle means extendingthrough said first opening into said hollow portion of said supportmember, said handle means including channel means therein, said supportmember further including a second opening, pawl means extending throughsaid second opening into said hollow portion of said support member,said pawl means including pin means mounted thereto, said pin meansbeing disposed within said channel means of said handle means, wherebyrotation of said handle means about its longitudinal axis causes amovement of said channel means which in turn causes said pin means tomove in said channel means thereby moving said pawl means in apredetermined direction.
 6. Handle positioning apparatus comprising asupport member having a hollow portion, said support member includingmeans to grasp a rotatable member so that movement of said supportmember causes rotation of said rotatable member, said support memberfurther including a first opening, shaft means extending through saidfirst opening into said hollow portion of said support member, saidhandle means including channel means therein, said support memberfurther including a second opening, pawl means extending through saidsecond opening into said hollow portion of said support member, saidpawl means including pin means mounted thereto and including a tooth ata terminal portion thereof, said pin means being disposed within saidchannel means of said handle means, and ratchet means including aplurality of teeth thereon and operatively positioned relative to saidpawl, said tooth of said pawl means being of such size as to fitintermediate two adjacent teeth of said ratchet means, whereby rotationof said handle means about its longitudinal axis causes a movement ofsaid channel means which in turn causes said pin means to move in saidchannel means thereby moving said pawl means in a predetermineddirection.
 7. Handle positioning apparatus in accordance with claim 6,said support member further including extension means, said extensionmeans including means to lock said extension means to said ratchet meansin a predetermined position.